The Gamtkwa Khoisan Council is launching two new cultural projects in December 2013.  This exciting development was made possible by a grant of R480 464.00 that the council received from the National Lottery Distribution Fund (NLDTF).

The Traditional Dance and Language project will focus on a Khoisan dance group of 21 young people.  They will be introduced to a number of traditional dances that will include the famous “rieldans”. A dance troupe from Betjiesfontein near Clanwilliam, will share their dance knowledge with the local dancers.  “The Betjies” have won the annual national rieldans competition twice before and they are delighted to be able to spread the tradition. The Gamtkwa Khoisan dance group will be able to showcase the development of the Khoisan dances through the ages and they will proudly display their tradition through performances in the area and at special events.

Songs in the Nama language forms a large part of the performance of the traditional dances. All the participants in the dance project will attend basic Nama language classes. Here they will have the opportunity to get to study and speak the ancient Khoekhoegowab language.  A further part of the language project is a public workshop that will be hosted by language specialist, Peter Dausab.